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Looking for ways to keep your dog entertained?


If you need to keep them busy or tire them out, mental stimulation is the way to go! These 7 brain games can help mentally stimulate your pooch, for a calmer and happier dog.


We all know the importance of physical exercise for our dogs, but what about their minds? Keeping your dog’s brain active will significantly improve their general well-being, as well as helping to alleviate common behavioral problems too.


Dogs make such brilliant pets precisely because they are so smart. So to have a calm, content dog, their minds need to be flexed a little each day. Here are the benefits of engaging in some brain training everyday.


Why mental stimulation is important for dogs:


  • Prevents Boredom - Boredom is the root cause of a vast majority of behavioral issues. A dog that feels challenged, useful, and tired out is much less likely to exhibit undesirable chewing, barking, or toileting. Plus, they are way more likely to be able to settle when you need them to - which can come in really handy. 


  • Strengthens Bond - The bond between you and your dog is built through shared activities. Overcoming puzzles, playing games, and learning new skills together all contribute to creating shared memories for you both to cherish. It’ll help your dog feel happy and secure with you, especially if they are new to the family. 

  • Senior Strength - Mental stimulation, just as with humans, is great at keeping the brain strong and healthy. Especially important for senior dogs, aiding them to hold on to their cognitive abilities for longer. Throwing in some puzzles and playtime can help keep them feeling younger for longer. 


  • Injury Help - If a dog is injured, on crate rest, or lives with limited mobility, mental stimulation is incredibly important. If adventures like walks or social interactions with other dogs are not as frequent, then a release through mentally stimulating activities will help keep them happy and content.

So you’ll now want to know, How do I keep my dog mentally stimulated? The answer is simple. There’s plenty of fun, inventive and easy ways to work that brain of theirs. We’ve listed our 7 favorite activities below.


How to keep a dog stimulated:


1) A Stuffed Kong

Perhaps the easiest and most popular way to keep a dog busy - the stuffed Kong. With different sizes and shapes to suit all kinds of pooches, these stuffable chew toys are ideal for occupying dogs and making them work for their goodies. 


Stuffed with peanut butter, squeezy cheese, or anything else your dog enjoys, they can provide hours of entertainment and enrichment. Useful for pet parents that need some quiet time to work, or if your pup is going to be alone for a short period.


So you’ll now want to know, How do I keep my dog mentally stimulated? The answer is simple. There’s plenty of fun, inventive and easy ways to work that brain of theirs. We’ve listed our 7 favorite activities below.


How to keep a dog stimulated:


1) A Stuffed Kong

Perhaps the easiest and most popular way to keep a dog busy - the stuffed Kong. With different sizes and shapes to suit all kinds of pooches, these stuffable chew toys are ideal for occupying dogs and making them work for their goodies. 


Stuffed with peanut butter, squeezy cheese, or anything else your dog enjoys, they can provide hours of entertainment and enrichment. Useful for pet parents that need some quiet time to work, or if your pup is going to be alone for a short period.


2) The Treasure Hunt

Dogs love having a job, which is no surprise as they’ve always been by our side as expert searchers, hunters, and seekers. So employ their skills in an all-out treasure hunt extravaganza. 


Using your outdoor or indoor space, hide treats or toys in hard-to-find or unusual locations. Keep encouraging your dog to find all the hidden treasures and reward them when they complete the task. Perhaps you can even get out the stopwatch and time them, to see how fast they can work? This is a great game to play before visitors come over to tire out your dog.


3) Hide And Seek

A twist on a traditional treasure hunt, can your dog find people too? Dogs always enjoy mental stimulation in the form of games. Great to play with kid-friendly pooches, see if your pup can sniff out where they are hiding. 


This can result in hours of fun for both your kids and your dogs, meaning you get some well-deserved peace and quiet…

2) The Treasure Hunt

Dogs love having a job, which is no surprise as they’ve always been by our side as expert searchers, hunters, and seekers. So employ their skills in an all-out treasure hunt extravaganza. 


Using your outdoor or indoor space, hide treats or toys in hard-to-find or unusual locations. Keep encouraging your dog to find all the hidden treasures and reward them when they complete the task. Perhaps you can even get out the stopwatch and time them, to see how fast they can work? This is a great game to play before visitors come over to tire out your dog.


3) Hide And Seek

A twist on a traditional treasure hunt, can your dog find people too? Dogs always enjoy mental stimulation in the form of games. Great to play with kid-friendly pooches, see if your pup can sniff out where they are hiding. 


This can result in hours of fun for both your kids and your dogs, meaning you get some well-deserved peace and quiet…


4) New Tricks

If your dog already has the basics of obedience down, why not take things up a level? Learning new skills is one of the best ways to work a dog’s brain and create an incredible bond. So what about learning a stall, sit pretty, and some new dance moves? 


Or better yet - get them to help with the chores like tidying their own toys away - win-win!


5) Puzzle Toys

Toys can be a great way to keep dogs stimulated. Nina Ottosson is famous for developing a range of games and toys for your canine Einstein. Intricately designed with brainpower in mind, with different levels to keep evolving and adapting to your dog’s abilities. 


Ideal for giving you some time to focus on your other life responsibilities, while Fido is focusing hard too!


4) New Tricks

If your dog already has the basics of obedience down, why not take things up a level? Learning new skills is one of the best ways to work a dog’s brain and create an incredible bond. So what about learning a stall, sit pretty, and some new dance moves? 


Or better yet - get them to help with the chores like tidying their own toys away - win-win!


5) Puzzle Toys

Toys can be a great way to keep dogs stimulated. Nina Ottosson is famous for developing a range of games and toys for your canine Einstein. Intricately designed with brainpower in mind, with different levels to keep evolving and adapting to your dog’s abilities. 


Ideal for giving you some time to focus on your other life responsibilities, while Fido is focusing hard too!


6) Fetch - But Better

Fetch is a fantastic way to tire out an active dog, but have you ever boosted this game to include a few brainwaves too? Try incorporating tricks and obedience into your fetch or frisbee game to keep your dog guessing.


Perhaps a sit, lie down and roll over, before then throwing. Keep your pup on their toes, and work both their body and mind. You’ll have a tired out canine in no time!


7) Snuffle Mats

Snuffle Mats are a workout for your dog’s sensitive nose. Using their excellent detective skills, they’ll sniff out treats and kibble hidden within the enriching layers. 


It’s a great way to feed your dog on busy days, making mealtimes an absorbing activity. 


6) Fetch - But Better

Fetch is a fantastic way to tire out an active dog, but have you ever boosted this game to include a few brainwaves too? Try incorporating tricks and obedience into your fetch or frisbee game to keep your dog guessing.


Perhaps a sit, lie down and roll over, before then throwing. Keep your pup on their toes, and work both their body and mind. You’ll have a tired out canine in no time!


7) Snuffle Mats

Snuffle Mats are a workout for your dog’s sensitive nose. Using their excellent detective skills, they’ll sniff out treats and kibble hidden within the enriching layers. 


It’s a great way to feed your dog on busy days, making mealtimes an absorbing activity. 


With these 7 tips, try putting your dog through some mental gymnastics. And let us know which ones you try!